Apple Sports Widget Not Supported on CarPlay, Expanding Sports Coverage





The Apple Sports application has recently been updated with a new widget for iOS, enabling users to view live sports scores directly on their device homescreens. This enhancement improves the convenience of accessing real-time sports updates. However, a notable drawback is the widget's current incompatibility with the newly introduced CarPlay widget panel in iOS 26. This means that while users can enjoy the widget on their iPhones, it won't seamlessly integrate into their car's display through CarPlay, despite the app's existing support for Live Activities on the CarPlay Dashboard.
Upon the release of iOS 26, many users had hoped that Apple would extend the functionality of its Sports app to include full widget support within CarPlay. While the new iOS widget successfully brings match schedules and live scores to the homescreen, its absence from the CarPlay widget panel is a disappointment for those who frequently use CarPlay for in-car information and entertainment. This is particularly relevant as Apple Sports stands out as a free, ad-free platform offering extensive sports coverage and integrating with Apple's latest features like Live Activities on the lockscreen and the CarPlay Dashboard.
The current Live Activities feature in iOS 26 allows users to see live scores on their lockscreen and within the CarPlay Dashboard. However, this is distinct from the new CarPlay widgets panel, which offers a more organized, homescreen-like interface. Users seeking comprehensive sports updates, including a variety of sports beyond just soccer, are still exploring third-party alternatives. For instance, apps like FotMob provide live soccer scores, but they often fall short when it comes to covering other sports like tennis, Formula 1, and American football.
In addition to the new widget, Apple Sports has expanded its content to include more soccer leagues. The app now features Bundesliga 2, Ligue 2, Primeira Liga, Segunda División, and Serie B. Furthermore, it has incorporated teams and leagues from several European nations, including Austria, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, broadening its appeal to a wider international audience. This content expansion is a positive step, but the lack of CarPlay widget integration remains a point of concern for some users.
The recent update to Apple Sports introduces a new iOS widget for homescreen access to live sports scores, but surprisingly, this widget does not extend to the new CarPlay widget panel. Despite this limitation, the application maintains its ad-free experience and offers Live Activities on both the lockscreen and CarPlay Dashboard. The app has also enriched its sports offerings by adding several new soccer leagues and teams from various countries, making it a more comprehensive source for sports enthusiasts, though the desire for broader CarPlay widget compatibility persists among its user base.